"For many years, the Aurora Inn was known as a destination for great food and a vibrant bar," he said. "Sadly, that was lost over the years. We expect to turn that around and restore the hotel's stature in northeast Ohio."

Boutique hotels are hot, Bliss said, as travelers across the nation discover that they offer unique experiences and more personal customer service.

The Aurora Inn, a fixture in the center of Aurora's historic district, will receive a full makeover to capitalize on this trend, he said. The current building was erected 50 years ago after a fire destroyed the original 1927 building.

The new owners have hired Riley Hotel Group of Medina to manage the property. They said Riley is known as an award-winning management company whose properties include the new Kent State University Hotel and Conference Center, Mayfield Village Hilton Garden Inn and many other branded and unbranded hotels.

The group also has contracted with Genevieve Gorder, a celebrity interior designer and HGTV show host, to redesign the inside of the building.

Mansfield is surprised by the level of support and desire of residents and local officials to restore the inn to its glory days.

"Thousands of people have attended weddings and events at the inn, have dined there or have had pool memberships," he said. "There are so many memories here. Our team will restore the Aurora Inn in a way that pays respect to its long history, while providing guests with the modern amenities of a luxury hotel."

Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin said the inn is a landmark in the city, and she would love to see it revitalized.

"I think it is exciting that someone like Dan Bliss, with roots in the community and an appreciation for its history, is taking on this project," she said. "We look forward to working with Dan and his partners as they develop and implement their plans."

When renovation is complete, the hotel will offer 67 rooms, including three suites, a restaurant, patio dining, bar, indoor and outside pools, spa, fitness center and outdoor event/wedding space.

Bliss said some rooms are now available for overnight stays, and the indoor pool is open to residents who have memberships.

Bliss said crews are working to get the kitchen and bar open, which hopefully will occur by early summer. The restaurant is targeted to open in late summer or early fall. The outdoor pool might not be open until next year.

"Cosmetically, the building isn't where we want it," Bliss said. "There's a good amount of work yet to be done before we raise the level of the entire property to where we want it. But it eventually will be a quality hotel.

"Taking over the hotel is nostalgic for me," he added. "I ate there and used the pool when I was growing up. I have a lot of memories."

After high school, Bliss graduated from Ohio State University in 1992, and went on to own Peabody's Down Under in Cleveland for six years, plus Heaven & Earth in the Flats, The Barn in Elyria and the Euclid Tavern at University Circle.

He has lived in California since 2001, where he owns a tech firm and a couple other businesses, and sells commercial real estate. He will travel between his California and Aurora holdings.

Contact this reporter at 330-542-9400 ext. 4189 or klahmers@recordpub.com